Shopping

For online maps of over 10,000 Seattle shops and over 18,000 buildings, try Lost in Seattle. The site also provides information about the shops, including hours of operation and links to store websites.

Contents

Bookstores

Elliott Bay Book Company is located in downtown Seattle. An absolute must-see; this is THE best bookstore in Seattle, with a very knowledgeable and friendly staff. The largest independent bookstore in the city carries new, used, and rare books. They have regular readings and events, so be sure to check the schedule. They also offer a 20% Librarians Discount on books, so when you go, take your conference badge or business card.

Left Bank Books, in the heart of the Pike Place Market, is one of the oldest collectively run bookstores around. It is the place to go to find out what is really going on in Seattle. It is also the producer of many a fine librarian!

Bailey/Coy Books, located at 414 Broadway E in the heart of Capitol Hill, is one of the finest independent neighborhood bookstores around. A general interest bookstore with an emphasis on gay & lesbian literature, it features helpful and knowledgable staff, attractive displays of carefully chosen books, and very strong contemporary fiction, graphic novel, and art sections. Plus they have a daily quiz that will warm the heart of any librarian -- correctly identify the title of the book that begins with the line written on the whiteboard outside and receive 20% off any book in the store. But don't take my word for it! See what other customers have to say. You can get there from downtown by taking the 49 bus to Broadway & Harrison, which drops you off right in front of the store, or the 43, to the corner of Broadway and E. John St. and walk north 3 blocks. Open 7 days a week from 10-10 M-Sat, 10-8 Sun.

There's a Barnes & Noble downtown in the Pacific Place Shopping Center, at the corner of 7th and Pine Streets. There's also a Borders downtown at 1501 Fourth Avenue.

For maps, atlases, and travel books, check out Metskers Maps of Seattle, located downtown in the Sanitary Market Building at Pike Place Market. Kroll Map Company is near the Seattle Center at 2700 Third Avenue. There's also a Rand McNally Map & Travel Store downtown at 1308 4th Avenue.

Kinokuniya Bookstore is a large branch of the Japanese chain, located in the International District at the Uwajimaya Village mall. A huge selection of Asian books, periodicals, stationary, and other products. (Lots of books in English about Asia as well!)

University District:

Magus Books From the size of the shop, you might not think much at first. But this was a staple of my undergrad experience at UW. The selection is varied and impressive, and you can get just about any classic paperback for under $3. Interesting and valuable collection of poetry, drama, etc. also.

Twice-Sold Tales Great for Sci-Fi & Fantasy buffs. Decent selection of hardcovers as well, and some rare/signed books.

Unviversity Bookstore Don't underestimate it... some of the best poetry books I own were salvaged from the UW Bookstore clearance rack. The rest of the store is your typical bookstore. Anyone can buy UW textbooks (even if they're not in the course), and the store overbuys for that reason. You can often pick up interesting sheet music here, also.

Galleries

Many of the visual art galleries are located in Pioneer Square, just south of downtown. Unique to some are the collections of northwest native american art and artefacts. Citysearch provides an online map and guide to Pioneer Square galleries, restaurants and clubs.

Located at 5th and Blanchard in downtown Seattle, Seattle Glassblowing Studio provides public access to their gallery and glass studio. In addition, the gallery, studio and adjoining cafe can be rented out for events.

General Market

Pike Place Market is a must-see if you're in Seattle. It's a fun place in which to shop, eat, people watch, and enjoy the city's street performers.

International

Uwajimaya Village in Seattle's International District is a must-see for the internationally inclined. The Uwajimaya store sells Asian groceries, gifts, and toys, and is also host to an international food court (very busy at the noon hour, but with quick service at the off hours). And you can't miss the Kinokuniya Bookstore -- books, manga, and dvds in English and Asian languages, stationery supplies, and cute little gifts that are perfect for taking back to colleagues who had to miss the conference. The International District is located at the Southern end of Pioneer Square near the sports stadiums.

Knitting and Yarn

So Much Yarn is in Belltown, which is part of downtown Seattle. 2302 1st Ave. 1-866-443-0727 (toll free). About 3 blocks north of Pike Place Market, intersection of 1st and Bell St. You can take Metro buses 15 and 18 up 1st Ave. to the Bell St. stop. If you start your route in downtown, this will be the last stop in the ride free area.Weaving Works in Seattle's University District. 4717 Brooklyn Ave NE. 1-888-524-1221 (toll free). Take Metro buses 70, 71, 72 or 73 from 3rd Ave downtown up to the U District, get off at 45th or 50th on University Way and walk over one block west to Brooklyn.Acorn Street Shop, also near the UW. 2818 NE 55th St. 206-525-1726. Take Metro bus 72 and get off at NE Campus Parkway and Brooklyn and transfer to the 68 or 74.Hilltop Yarn on Queen Anne. 2224 Queen Anne Ave North. 206-282-1332. Take Metro buses 3 or 13 from 3rd Ave downtown up the Queen Anne Hill.

Shoes

On my first visit to Seattle -- for an RTSD Institute (does that date me?) -- I whined to someone about needing shoes, and that kind person directed me to Nordstrom's. With my odd-size foot, I felt I was a kid in a candy shop, with an actual choice in shoes for the first time ever. Since then Nordstrom's has branched, but the "flagship" store at 500 Pine Street is worth a visit.

John Fluevog has a retail store in Seattle, located on Pike Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Comfy, stylish, long-lasting.